|
Melissa is a gem of a volunteer!!! She began with AFA in July 2009 at the tender age of 18. She found us while searching the internet for a shelter to volunteer for. Not only did she contact us right away, but she faxed her application back the same day she received it and started the following week! Melissa has been dedicated and consistent ever since. She’s our Sunday morning gal – cleaning and feeding the downstairs critters, as well as working on miscellaneous projects (like painting the outside coati house in the freezing cold). Melissa also checks on the outside animals to make sure they’re all doing ok. Her favorite animals are Tallulah, the young kinkajou, Juneau, our Canada lynx kitten, old cougar Goliath, and genet Curly Sue. She also admits that Boots the alligator is a real sweetie! Really, though, she loves all of the animals!
When asked what her favorite part about volunteering with AFA is, Melissa replied: “I love to be around these awesome animals all the time. The interaction that I am able to have with them is something I know I would never be able to have without AFA. I would clean up any amount of poop any day to help these guys. I respect Kim very much for being able to give these guys a home and also the love they need. I feel that educating the public is important and that AFA really has a purpose other than housing cute, abandoned animals. I love going out with Kim to do programs all over the place and being able to proudly present these animals to awed guests. I have learned so much about animals with this organization and I am very proud to be a member.”
And her least favorite part: “I will seem to find animal poop in the weirdest places after leaving AFA (In my hair, on my shoelaces, etc. ) and I somehow always manage to run into the fly catchers downstairs. It’s all worth it though.”
Asked, how is AFA different from other places you’ve volunteered for in the past, Melissa responded: “The people are so much nicer than in normal dog/cat shelters. I really feel a bond with the other volunteers and the animals. In other shelters I might only get to see an animal once but at AFA I get to know animals over a much longer period of time. Besides that, AFA educates about the animals rather than just adopting out. They also need a lot more help than conventional shelters and give me a lot more to do.”
Melissa was asked if she had a memorable AFA moment she’d like to share: “I have to say that Midwest Furfest was pretty crazy and fun at the same time. Going on a road trip with Kim and April was tons of fun and that was just the beginning. The convention was eye opening, and with the help of Kim, April, and the KARE team, I had lots of stories to tell when I got home, haha. From Kim flirting with someone in a fur suit to April letting me get snake pee all over myself, there was plenty of madness going on. Thanks for the great time guys.”
Melissa lives in Burr Ridge with her family and shares her home with several wonderful pets, which include two rescued dogs (Domino and Rocket), three leopard geckos (Bubbles, Dude and Citrus), and two cockatiels (Cleo and Tut). Melissa is also an artist and loves to draw, paint and sketch. (View Melissa's artwork here) Besides traditional artwork, she is a chainmail artist. She makes jewelry using the ancient art of chainmaille that was used for making armor in the past. Her company, Goliath Chainmaille (named before she met our Goliath) and her jewelry can be found in her Etsy store. Melissa also travels a lot with her family. She has been all over Europe and loves seeing different cultures. The rest of her time is spent playing a lot of videogames.
Melissa is currently a freshman at Elmhurst College with Biology and Fine Arts as a major. She is expected to graduate in 2013. She works at a veterinary clinic in Lombard. After she graduates from Elmhurst College she plans to go to Veterinary school. Melissa wants to become a Veterinarian and specialize in exotic animals. Hopefully she will be able to open her own clinic someday to help with the shortage of exotic animal vets.
Melissa’s Additional Comments: “I want to thank Kim and everyone at AFA for helping out. There are too few people in the world who understand that we owe it to the animals to at least give them proper care. It is important to educate the public and to take good care of these critters that have been displaced from their natural homes. Thank you AFA for being a great organization and giving me a wonderful opportunity to help out.”
What does AFA think of Melissa? She is one of the rare volunteers who remains constant and dedicated to AFA. She’s a true blessing! A fast learner with strong common sense, Melissa needs very little supervision around the animals. We can always count on her to help out where needed. She is phenomenal on programs! Maybe someday she’ll even be doing programs on her own! We love you, Melissa!
|
